FLAVIAN OF CONSTANTINOPLE: Bishop of Constantinople; b. in the second half of the fourth century; d.
at Hypepe in Lydia, 449. Little is known concerning him except his part in the Eutychian controversy (see
EUTYCHIANISM), although Theophanes and Nicephorus, apparently basing their statements on reliable
tradition, say that before his consecration he was a presbyter and skeuophylax in Constantinople. Where
he received his education is unknown, nor is his theological position absolutely determined either by the
attacks made on him by Dioscurus of Alexandria, which were not necessarily theological in origin, or by
his own opposition to Eutyches, which seems to have been inspired by Eusebius of Dorylæum. He was
apparently Antiochian in his dogmatics, thus explaining the hostility of Chrysaphius, the Alexandrine
favorite of the emperor. Flavian was finally condemned and deposed for his share in the Eutychian
controversy by the "Robber Synod" of Ephesus in 449 and died shortly afterward. There is no evidence,
however, that his death was other than natural, although the Greek Church reckons him a martyr, and
celebrates his festival on Feb. 18.